Itanagar, Jun 4 : The jubilant team members of the First NE India Mt Everest Expedition were in New Delhi on Sunday to celebrate the successful summit of the world's highest peak. Eleven climbers of the expedition, organized by Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA), successfully reached the top of the world.

Assam minister for tourism, forest & environment Rockybul Hussain, accompanied by MPs and other high officials on behalf of Assam CM Tarun Gogoi, felicitated the Everest team members at Assam Bhavan, Delhi.

Earlier, on May 31 after their arrival, Manipur chief secretary DS Poonia hosted a felicitation programme in honour of the team members. Representing Arunachal Pradesh, K N Damo, deputy resident commissioner, and his subordinates received the NE Everesters at the IGI International Airport.

DoNER secretary U K Sangma, while congratulating each one of the team, said the ministry would continue to extend financial support to the NE mountaineers. He also announced that a recurring grant-in-aid to MMTA has been increased from Rs 7 lakh to 10 lakh and the government has also considered upgrade of Manipur Mountaineering Institute as a regional centre for mountaineering and adventure sports.

The NE mountaineers were also honoured by Nepal government on May 29 last coinciding with the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Mt Everest Expedition.

Along with other Everest summiteers, they were given a standing ovation by the mountaineering fraternity led by minister for culture, tourism and civil aviation Ram Kumar Shrestha. All the summiteers received a letter of appreciation from the government of Nepal in addition to Everest summit certificates.

In the meantime, the Arunachal Students' Union Delhi ( ASUD) has felicitated the ace mountaineer from the state, Anshu Jamsenpa, who recently made a new record by climbing the Mount Everest three times.